Petra Vlhova

Petra Vlhová is a distinguished Slovak alpine ski racer renowned for her exceptional skills in slalom and giant slalom events. Her professional journey began with her debut in the World Cup at the young age of 17, where she quickly made her mark by securing her first podium in December 2015 with a victory in slalom at Åre, Sweden. This early success set the stage for a remarkable career characterized by numerous accolades and milestones.

In the 2019 season, Vlhová achieved a historic victory in giant slalom at Semmering, Austria, marking the first World Cup giant slalom win for Slovakia. She continued to excel, winning a parallel slalom in Oslo and establishing a new record for the most World Cup wins by a Slovak skier. Her performance at the Alpine World Ski Championships in February 2019 was particularly noteworthy, as she became the first Slovak skier to earn an individual medal, claiming silver in the combined event, gold in giant slalom, and bronze in slalom.

The 2021 season was a pinnacle year for Vlhová, as she secured her first overall World Cup title, becoming the first Slovak skier to achieve this prestigious honor. Her impressive results included multiple victories in slalom and giant slalom, alongside two silver medals at the World Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo. This season solidified her status as a leading figure in alpine skiing.

In 2022, Vlhová continued her ascent by winning gold in slalom at the Beijing Winter Olympics, making history as the first Slovak alpine skier to earn an Olympic medal. Her ongoing commitment to excellence was evident as she maintained a strong competitive presence in subsequent seasons, including a successful start to the 2024 season with her 20th career slalom victory. Petra Vlhová’s journey is a testament to her dedication, skill, and significant contributions to the sport of alpine skiing.